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FSIS is publishing results of completed sample sets from its Salmonella Verification Program for young chicken (broiler) slaughter establishments in performance Category 3 (see information below). At this time, FSIS is not listing establishments in Category 1 and other establishments that do not have enough sets completed as required for Category 1. FSIS is looking at establishing a category for these establishments in the future. FSIS is also not currently listing establishments in Category 2.

Results

FSIS posts updated results of completed Salmonella verification sample sets for young chicken (broiler) and turkey slaughter establishments on or about the 15th of each month. Each month's posting replaces that of the previous month. FSIS is considering publishing category results for establishments in other product classes.

The criteria applied here for publication of individual young chicken establishments differ from those for publication of aggregate young chicken data, and the two reports should not be used for comparisons.

Addition Information

Publication of Salmonella sample set results for young chicken establishments was first presented in a Federal Register Notice of February 27, 2006 (71 FR 9772-9777) and was recently described in detail in a Federal Register Notice of January 28, 2008 ( 73 FR 4767-4774). Publication of lists online began in April 2008. A Federal Register Notice in March 2011 announced July 2011 implementation of the new performance standards.

FSIS has decided that it is appropriate to evaluate test results in a manner that ensures that there is an 80% probability that establishments actually operating at the acceptable performance level will achieve results that are deemed to satisfy the criteria. Based on this criteria, the performance standard for Salmonella in young chickens is 7.5 percent, which translates into 5 positive samples out of a 51 sample set for meeting the performance standard.

Category 1 establishments have results from their two most recent completed sample sets that are at or below half of the standard. For young chickens this would be at or below 4 percent (2 positive samples out of a set of 51).

Category 2 establishments have results from their most recent completed sample set that are higher than half of the standard but do not exceed the standard. For young chickens this would be above 4 percent (3 or more positive samples out of a set of 51) but at or below 7.5 percent (5 positive samples out of 51).

Category 3 establishments have results from their most recent completed sample set that exceed the standard for Salmonella in young chickens. For young chickens this would be above 7.5 percent (6 or more positive samples out of 51).

Other establishments have results for their most recent sets that are at or below half of the standard but do not have the two recent successive completed sets at that level as required for Category 1. These establishments are now categorized as 2T. FSIS recognizes that these establishments have improved their process control and are in transition to Category 1.

Aggregate results for Categories 1, 2T, and 2 will be posted in the quarterly report. This information will be used by the Agency for internal analysis.